Heel Injury Rules Corey Anderson Out Of Pakistan ODIs

New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson’s hopes of making a much-awaited return to ODIs has ended due to a heel injury. The allrounder, who was picked in the ODIs for the first time since Champions Trophy 2017 – has been ruled out of the ODI series against Pakistan in UAE due to a heel injury. Anderson had also missed the final T20I against Pakistan for the same reason.

Anderson getting ruled out is not the only setback for the Black Caps. They are also sweating over the fitness of leg-spinner Todd Astle. The spinner is having some issues with his knee and is set to miss the series-opener. New Zealand will assess him later before taking a call on whether he would play in the remainder of the series. Astle is also part of the squad for the three-Test series, scheduled to begin from November 16.

“Todd’s made good progress over the past couple of days and with his involvement in both the ODI and Test squads; we’re keen to give him every chance to be right,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.

New Zealand have added left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel to the ODI squad as cover for Astle. Ajaz made his international debut in the T20I series.

“It does present another opportunity for Ajaz. He’s impressed us during the UAE tour so far and we have full confidence he can do a job for this team in the 50-over format,” Stead said.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have made a poor start to life under new coach Stead. They were whitewashed 3-0 by Pakistan in the recently-concluded T20Is. Barring the first T20I, New Zealand failed to challenge the top-ranked T20I side much. The Black Caps will be hoping to do well in the upcoming ODIs.

ODI Squad:

Kane Williamson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, George Worker